The government intends to build four new accommodation centres to hold 3,000 asylum seekers. Each would hold 750 people.
The accommodation centres would operate an "open door" policy, with the asylum seekers free to come and go. They would spend around six months at the centres while their asylum applications were considered by the Home Office, and while any appeals against refusal were processed. This means around 1,500 asylum seekers would pass through each new centre every year.
The new centres are part of home secretary David Blunkett's plans to shake up the asylum system, replace the much-criticised voucher scheme and reduce "disappearances".
A Home Office spokeswoman said that those prepared to live in the centres would get good accommodation, food, health care, education and support services, especially for families. Those who refused would get no state support, she added.
So far eight potential sites have been identified. The Home Office expects other potential sites to be put forward when a lengthy consultation process is started.
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Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
Details of government consultations
25 July 2008
